A new SAICA VAT registration FAQ highlights the need for SMEs to reassess turnover, registration status and supporting records under South Africa’s 2026 VAT thresholds.
Businesses that submit third-party data to SARS have until 31 October 2026 to report information for the period ended 31 August. Accurate data matters because SARS uses it to pre-populate and assess tax returns.
SARS has revised the Third-Party Appointment process for employers. Payroll teams should update e@syFile, review AA88 notices promptly and strengthen controls around deductions and payments to SARS.
SARS has expanded its Global Minimum Tax administration to cover information exchange, GMT03 declarations, payment processing, assessments and penalties. South African entities within affected multinational groups should confirm their local responsibilities and internal controls.
SARS has reminded employers that PAYE must be paid within seven days after month-end, with earlier payment required when the seventh day falls on a weekend or public holiday. SMEs should review payroll calendars, payment controls and filing responsibilities before the next submission cycle.
SARS’s proposed Digital VAT Model will eventually connect invoicing, accounting systems and SARS through e-Invoicing, an interoperability framework and e-Reporting. SMEs have time to prepare, but should start by improving the quality and structure of their VAT records.
SARS has released e@syFile Employer version 8.0.2_418 with an updated EMP501 form. Employers and payroll administrators should confirm their software version and validate payroll data before submitting reconciliations.
CIPC is introducing stronger verification for certain company director amendments, including one-time password confirmations by a majority of the board.
SARS’s 2026 Employer Interim Reconciliation period runs until 31 October. Employers should now reconcile payroll data, employee tax numbers and PAYE, UIF and SDL amounts before submitting their EMP501.
South African businesses selling digital services through online platforms should review how VAT responsibilities are allocated between the platform, the underlying supplier and the customer.
A Bill introduced in Parliament on 21 October 2026 proposes raising South Africa’s compulsory VAT registration threshold from R1 million to R2.3 million. SMEs should model the possible impact, but must not treat the proposal as enacted law yet.
SARS has published the explanatory summary of the proposed Tax Administration Laws Amendment Bill, 2026. The proposals could affect provisional tax estimates, PAYE obligations, VAT documentation, tax compliance status and penalty administration. The Bill is not yet law, so businesses should monitor the legislative process and prepare their records without treating the proposals as current requirements.